The Ford Mustang has offered both a manual transmission and automatic transmission option from 1979 all the way to 2014. In this article, we'll cover the manual transmissions that were factory equipment behind V8 Mustang engines.

Mustang Manual Transmissions | 1979-2014

SROD (Single-Rail Overdrive)The Single-Rail Overdrive, otherwise known as the SROD, is considered a "wide-ratio" 4-speed gearbox and features a smooth aluminum case with fully synchronized forward gears. Reverse was left unsynchronized. The input shaft is a 10-spline while the output shaft is a 28-spline. On the VIN Door Tag, the Transmission Code is the number 6. Because the SROD is unable to handle increased horsepower, they are rarely seen being used in anything other than in a restored Mustang. Gear ratios for the SROD Mustang Manual Transmission are:

Year

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

Reverse

1979 to early 1983

3.07

1.72

1.00

.70

3.07

The SROD can be found behind:

1979 Mustang 5.0L V8

1982 to early 1983 Mustang 5.0L V8

Borg Warner/Tremec T5The venerable T5 Manual Transmission is the longest running transmission style used in the late model Mustang. The heavily ribbed cast aluminum case serves as the home for fully synchronized 5 forward gears and reverse and features a 10-spline input shaft with a 28-spline output shaft. There were many variations over the years, so stick with me here. The 1983 1/2 to 1984 Mustang T5 is called a Non-World Class, or NWC. They are the least desirable of the V8 T5 transmissions as the gear metallurgy, synchronizer design, and bearing arrangement were based on old technology. In the 1985 Mustang, the T5 was "upgraded" to a World Class, or WC unit. This added a much better syncronizer design, wide-ratio gearset, needle bearings for 1st, 2nd and 3rd speed gears, and improved metallurgy throughout. In 1989, the metallurgy was once again improved on the 2nd Speed Gear, 3rd Speed Gear, and Countershaft Cluster Gear. The tooth pitch of 2nd and 3rd was revised for strength and the gear ratios were slightly altered. 1992 brought about a welcome upgrade in synchronizer facing material from organic to carbon fiber. The reverse synchronizer assembly was also revised for better engagement. In 1993, for the Cobra and Cobra R Mustang, the countershaft cluster gear recieved a special coating and the input bearing was upgraded from a torrington style to a tapered roller bearing. 1994-1995 Mustang T5's shared the same features as the Fox last variants, but the input shaft and input bearing retainer were a longer length. 1994-95 T5 will not fit Fox Mustang and 1983-93 T5 will not fit 1994-95 Mustang without extensive modification. 1983-1989 Mustang T5 was equipped with a yellow 7-tooth speedometer drive gear and 1990-1995 Mustang T5 was equipped with a light green 8-tooth drive gear. Gear ratios over the years for the Mustang T5 are:

Year

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Reverse

1983 1/2

2.95

1.94

1.34

1.00

.73

2.76

1984

2.95

1.94

1.34

1.00

.63

2.76

1985 to 1988

3.35

1.93

1.29

1.00

.68

3.15

1989 to 1995

3.35

1.99

1.33

1.00

.68

3.15

The T5 can be found behind:

1983 to 1993 Mustang LX and GT 5.0L V8

1993 Mustang Cobra and Cobra R 5.0L V8

1994 to 1995 Mustang GT and Cobra 5.0L V8

Ford Racing/Tremec Super Duty T5This manual transmission justified its own mention due to its significance in the aftermarket as both a restoration and a performance part. Basically the T5 "Z" spec takes all the good updates and rolls them into one transmission. The aluminum case is the latest revision and is the strongest offered on a production T5. Second, Third, and countershaft gears are all double moly. All of the synchronizers are the latest revisions, with 3rd and 4th featuring a carbon fiber facing. It has the 93 Cobra style input pocket bearing and is already equipped with a steel input bearing retainer. It has the standard issue 10-spline 1-1/16 input shaft and 28-spline output shaft. The speeodometer drive gear is the desirable 7-tooth. Gear ratios for the M-7003-Z Heavy Duty T5 Mustang Manual Transmission are:

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Reverse

2.95

1.94

1.34

1.00

.63

2.76

The Ford Racing M-7003-Z T5 is a direct bolt in for:

1983 to 1993 Mustang 5.0L V8

Borg Warner/Tremec T45With the introduction of the mod motor 4.6L in 1996 came the introduction of the T-45 5-speed manual transmission. All Mustangs equipped with this transmission use an 10.5" clutch. The T45 shares many attributes with the T56, so it is a strong transmission. Its weak link is the 10-spline input shaft which limits power handling. 1996-98 Mustang GT T45 transmissions had an 8-tooth speedometer sensor drive gear and a forward located transmission mount. 1996-1998 Mustang Cobra transmissions had a 7-tooth speedometer sensor drive gear and a rearward located transmission mount. 1999-2001 Mustang GT and Cobra transmissions used an electronic pickup "hall-effect" sensor for the speedometer signal and all had the rearward located transmission mount. 1996-01 T45 transmissions use the exact same shifter as the T5. The 1-2 shift fork is shared between all 96-01 T45s. The 3-4 shift fork was updated in 1998 thru 2001 and is a common upgrade for 1996-97. The reverse fork was also updated in 1998 and there are three different versions available. Speaking of reverse, the T45 was the first Mustang transmission to feature a fully synchronized reverse gear. All T45 varieties use a ribbed aluminum case with integral bell housing. Gear ratios for the T45 are:

Year

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Reverse

1996 to 2001

3.37

1.99

1.33

1.00

.67

3.22

The T45 can be found behind:

1996-1998 Mustang GT 4.6L 2V V8

1996-1998 Mustang Cobra 4.6L 4V V8

1999-early 2001 Mustang GT 4.6L 2V V8 with transmission code 6

1999/early 2001 Mustang Cobra 4.6L 2V V8 with transmission code 6

early 2001 Mustang Bullitt 4.6L 2V V8 with transmission code 6

Tremec TR-3650Starting with the 2001 model year, Ford rolled out yet another 5-speed transmision known as the TR-3650. Like the T45, it uses a ribbed aluminum case with an integral bellhousing. There were no variations between GT and Cobra versions 2001-2004. In 2005, the TR-3650 received a revised case and remote mount shifter for use in the 2005-2010 Mustang GT. All Mustangs equipped with this transmission use an 11" clutch. Like the T45, the weak spot in this transmission is the 10-spline input shaft. The output shaft is a robust 31-spline. 01-04 transmissions use a rear slip yoke where the 05-10 variant uses a fixed flange. While the 01-04 3650 shifter appears identical to the T5/T45 unit, they are not interchangeable. The 3650 can be retrofitted to T45 applications if a Speed-Cal is used to compensate for the difference in speedometer signals. Gear ratios for the TR-3650 are:

Year

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

Reverse

2001-2004 2V

3.38

2.00

1.32

1.00

.68

3.38

2001 4V

3.38

2.00

1.32

1.00

.68

3.38

2003-2004 4V

3.38

2.00

1.32

1.00

.62

3.38

2005-2010 3V

3.38

2.00

1.32

1.00

.68

3.38

The TR-3650 can be found behind:

2001-2004 Mustang GT 4.6L 2V V8 with transmission code K

2001 Mustang Cobra 4.6L 4V V8 with transmission code K

2003-2004 Mustang Mach 1 4.6L 4V

2005-2010 Mustang GT 4.6L 3V

2001 Mustang Bullitt 4.6L 2V V8 with transmission code K

2008-2009 Mustang Bullitt 4.6L 3V V8

Borg Warner/Tremec T56As powerful as the 2003-2004 Cobra was, it received the weakest T56 produced. It's 10-spline input and 27-spline output shafts severely limited the power handling of this otherwise awesome 6-speed manual transmission. Because of the available six forward gears, it allowed for a "double overdrive". The ribbed aluminum case featured a removable bellhousing and mid-plate to allow for different fitment configurations. Aftermarket support is plentiful for this transmission, so there are an abundance of upgrade parts available to make the T56 handle whatever you may throw at it. Because of the added length of the T56, a shorter than normal driveshaft was used in the 03-04 Cobra. Gear ratios for the T56 are:

Year

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Reverse

2003-2004 Cobra

2.66

1.78

1.30

1.00

.80

.63

2.90

The T56 can be found behind:

2003-2004 Mustang Cobra 4.6L 4V V8 Supercharged

Tremec TR-6060When the 2007 Supercharged Shelby GT500 5.4L came along, it brought with it - you guessed it - another transmission! The Tremec TR-6060 6-speed is based on the T56, but improved from front to back. The aluminum case has an integral bell housing and the output yoke is a fixed design. Like its 05-10 GT sibling TR-3650, the 6060 uses a remote mount shifter. The 26-spline input shaft allows for much greater power handling. There have been three different ratio variations over the years. Gear ratios for the TR-6060 are:

Year

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Reverse

2007-2009 GT500

2.97

1.78

1.30

1.00

.80

.63

3.28

2010-2012 GT500

2.97

1.78

1.30

1.00

.74

.50

3.28

2013-2014 GT500

2.66

1.82

1.30

1.00

.77

.50

2.90

The TR-6060 can be found behind:

2007-2012 Mustang Shelby GT500 5.4L 4V V8 Supercharged

2013-2014 Mustang Shelby GT500 5.8L 4V V8 Supercharged

Getrag MT82Ford deviated from their norm with introduction of the 2011 Mustang GT 5.0L TiVct. Instead of choosing a Tremec gearbox to back up the Coyote powerplant, they chose an overseas sourced Getrag MT82 6-speed transmission. Like its Tremec predecessors (the Getrag shares no similarities otherwise) the case is ribbed cast aluminum with an integral bellhousing. The output yoke is a fixed design, but the input shaft is an oddball 23-spline. It features six forward gears with a reverse and the shifter is a remote mount design. The same transmission and gearset are used in both the GT and Boss 302. The MT82 is either a love it or hate it gearbox. There have been numerous complaints from consumers about faulty performance. However, there have been no recalls to date. Gear ratios for the MT82 are:

Year

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Reverse

2011-2014 5.0L

3.66

2.43

1.69

1.32

1.00

.65

3.32

The MT82 can be found behind:

2011-2014 Mustang GT 5.0L 4V V8 TiVct

2012-2013 Mustang Boss 302 5.0L 4V V8 TiVct

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